Awareness of Promoted Adaptation Measures

Output

% of [specify target group] who are aware of the promoted adaptation measures

The indicator assesses the proportion of target group members (such as farmers) who are aware of the promoted climate change adaptation measures, such as using drought-tolerant or fast maturing seed varieties; maximizing water capture and storage; or participating in an early warning system. Such data helps you design the focus of your promotion activities and evaluate their effectiveness and reach.

Determine the indicator's value by using the following methodology:

 

1) Prepare a short list of the adaptation measures you want to assess. Focus on 3–5 key practices to avoid overlong interviews. Decide how many measures respondents must mention spontaneously or after prompting to be considered ‘aware of the promoted adaptation measures’ (e.g. aware of at least 2 out of 4 promoted measures).

 

2) Design the interview questions that you will use to assess whether the respondents are aware of the promoted adaptation measures or not. Ensure that the questions are specific enough without leading the respondent to a particular answer. If you are concerned that the respondents might say what they think the ‘correct answer’ is (instead of what they really know), consider asking indirectly: For example, if you promote mulching, instead of asking: “Are you aware of mulching as a method to retain moisture in the soil?”, you can ask: “What methods for retaining moisture in the soil do you know of?” Keep probing: “What else farmers do to keep moisture in the soil?” and "Anything else?" Strictly avoid asking very general questions, such as “How can your farming adapt to climate change?”

 

3) Conduct interviews with a representative sample of your target group members, asking them the questions you prepared. Ensure that the sample adequately represents the target population. For example, if the population includes women and men, younger and older people, and other relevant subgroups, make sure these subgroups are adequately represented in the sample (for instance, avoid interviewing only heads of households).

 

4) To calculate the indicator’s value, divide the number of respondents aware of the promoted adaptation measures by the total number of interviewed respondents (excluding those who refused to answer one or more questions). Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage. 

Disaggregate the data by gender, age group, location, and other criteria relevant to the context and focus of your intervention.

1) In addition to reporting on the overall indicator value, also report on the percentage of respondents aware of the individual adaptation measures (e.g. how many are aware of intercropping, how many are aware of mulching, etc.). Such data can help you decide which practices you should focus on. It also helps you avoid wasting time on raising awareness about measures that people are already familiar with. Disaggregate such data by key subgroups to understand and address potential differences.

  

2) If time allows (optional), consider also collecting and analysing data on from whom the people heard about the measure (only if it is likely that the respondents might remember the source). This might help you understand whether any changes in people’s awareness can be attributed to your intervention.

 

3) Awareness and recall of promoted measures may differ by gender, age, disability status, social position, or level of participation in project activities. Some groups may be less exposed to information and therefore less able to recall measures, even when they are relevant to them. These groups may include older persons, women not directly involved in activities, or marginalised groups. Enumerators should take this into account when probing and when you later interpret the results.

 

4) Consider using this indicator together with the Understanding of the Promoted Measures and Perceived Effectiveness of Promoted Measures indicators. Combining these indicators will help you capture not only people’s awareness but also how well they understand and value the promoted measures. When measures are not understood or not perceived as effective, their adoption is less likely.